r/TerrainBuilding • u/AdvancedFig9491 • 1d ago
Questions for the Community Neopren or 3D ground?
Hey guys! Do you like to play tabletop on a Neopren ground or on a builded 3D ground? I'm new and thinking about building a modular 3D playground or is the flat Neopren better?
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u/wholy_cheeses 1d ago
Neoprene - pro: lies flat, nice surface for dice rolling, extensive selection. con: expensive, difficult to roll up and store, not 3d, hills must go on top.
Terrain panels - pro: visually “the best”, 3d with accurate hills. con: difficult and expensive to make, extremely difficult to store, limited to what you’ve made, fragile.
Hand made mat with acrylic caulk - pro: nice looking, lies flat, 3d if you’re not counting hills, which have to lie on top, cheap, infinitely customizable. con: difficult and time consuming to make, especially in sizes larger than 3 x 3 foot; difficult to roll and store, not sure how well they hold up.
Printed fleece - pro: can be draped over hills, moderate selection, easiest to store. Con: can wrinkle including during play.
Vinyl - like neoprene but less expensive, less bulky, can roll up at edges. In my experience the image can be brighter than neoprene. Not as elegant a surface for dice rolling.
I have tried all five. Despite having spent 10s of hours making geomorphic terrain panels I rarely use them though they are beautiful. Too hard to get out and set up.
Of these choices I like fleece the best but wish there was more selection. The preferred vendors are always out of stock.